Detox Defeat.. Looking Forward to Baby Steps Success!

I posted in my last entry about a "detox".  Well, I didn't make it past day 1.  The smoothies were just yucky, and I simply quit- I quit because I was hungry, and the feeling of deprivation does nasty things to my thought processes.  Baby steps are the keys for me in any life-changing journey!

I have placed my Day #18 star on my calendar!  I am firming up my ideas for my next "21".  I think it's going to be combining all 3 previous challenges.  I am predicting some results at the end of that "21"!  I am also hoping it will solidify all of the habits so I can move on to another set of baby steps!  If you're not aware of my first 3 "21" Challenges, they were:
1. Eat breakfast and drink 20 oz of water within 1 hour of waking(getting out of bed)
2. Stop eating and drinking (EXCEPT WATER- Water is encouraged at any time!) after 7:30 pm
3. Drink a minimum of 48 oz of water each day (I have usually been drinking 64 oz, so I may just increase the water amount in the next challenge)

I can't wait to get this challenge finished and the next one locked and loaded!  I have ideas out the yin-yang about new challenges after I solidify these!!

I worked out today at the gym and did quite a bit more than I did the last 2 times!

My DS6 is going to a flag football clinic tomorrow- he has no idea how to play football, but he is VERY excited!  I hope he enjoys it as much as he thinks he will!

Challenges, Challenges

I just returned from my second day of going to the gym on my own.  It sounds like such a mundane, no-big-deal thing, but for me- this is HUGE!  I am sore, stiff, and sweaty... So it did some good for me physically AND it was a huge step emotionally!

I also met with Ian today.  I'm wrapping my head around the challenge he gave me.  I need to decide if I want to accept the challenge of challenging friends/acquaintances/etc. to a challenge.  See why the post title is what it is????  I'm whizzing from thought to thought... wondering if I can even begin to do this!  I told him I don't have the kind of social connections that would be good for this (it's the truth- I just don't roam around social circles as a SAHM).

I wonder about your (whomever may happen to see my blog on this big blue planet...) "21" challenges.  Did you start one?  I'm on day 15 of mine (48+ oz of water each day) and already racing from one idea to another about what the next challenge should be!

I also started a "3-Day Detox" today.  It's a Dr. Oz thing- the smoothies look really healthy and stuff.. If it seems to do some good, I will post a link to the recipes!  I don't want to post them if it's a bust, though.  I HATE the idea of a "diet", but I can definitely use a detox from all the sugar and processed crap-o-lah I have been eating!  maybe I'll feel good enough that I'll want to stay away from that junk... (ha. ha. I'll just keep focusing on baby steps!)

Slacker Status Securely Sucking Someone's Spirit

It's been a while- Here's the latest news:

I participated in a "Zombie Run" 5k on June 22nd (if you're curious about this, check it out aRun For Your Lives).  Upon reaching the half-way point, I promptly crashed and burned.  I was trying to avoid a zombie, and my body zigged while my foot zagged (or something like that).  After a trip to the Emergency Department, I found out I quite thoroughly sprained my ankle and tore whatever-it-is that holds it all together.  it has been nearly 3 weeks, and I am turning in to a ball of Jell-O.  Heaven forbid that I push my physical limits and exercise the rest of my body because my ankle is sore/swollen.  ACK!  I make myself crazy!!

I am writing this blog post as a SCREAM out to my inner brat- I'm letting her know that I understand what's going on, and we're not going down this road any more!! The junk stops HERE.  Junk food, stinking thinking, self-sabotage, and negative self-talk are done!  No excuses, more action, and here we go!

On a positive note, I have learned a couple of valuable things in the past few months (thanks to Ian, my trainer).  One of which is a habit-building "game", of sorts.  I like to call it "21".  I have used this tool to do some useful things!  I now eat breakfast and drink 20 oz of water within an hour of waking up at least 90% of the time- Pretty cool!  I am on day 10 of my 3rd "21" now- drinking a minimum of 48 oz of water each day.  Want to know how the "game" works?

1. Find a very simple (BABY STEPS, folks!) change you would like to make in order to improve your life just a tiny bit.  Be specific and simple!  Set yourself up for success!
2. Commit to 21 days IN A ROW. (yes, this includes weekends and vacations!) If it's a bad time, don't start yet.  Again: Set yourself up for success!
3. Put a star/smiley face/other fun marking on the calendar to show each day you have completed.
4. If you mess up (expect to mess up- we're human!), you MUST START OVER.  That's right- if you are on day 18 and you slip up and break your commitment, you start over at day 1!  Remember: this is a habit you want for a lifetime anyway- get the 21 days in a row!
5. (optional) You could reward yourself when you finish the 21st day!  I have rewarded myself by cheering, getting a pat on the back, and then announcing my next "21".

** Side note:  I fully understand that "21" will not offer a magic spell that MAKES your habit "stick".  This is a tool to help get the ball rolling!

I love sharing this challenge!  I want to hear your feedback about "21".. ideas, your challenges, your successes, struggles, or what you have learned!